Opening Arguments Night of the Living Op-Ed! (A Belated Spooktacular)
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Nov 5, 2025 Dive into a spooky exploration of political journalism as hosts dissect a Politico piece on Project 2025's perceived collapse. They challenge how empty offices were misinterpreted and argue against the narrative of failure. The conversation shifts to Ross Douthat's controversial take on Trump, examining the fascism debate and assessing how past observations about him missed the mark. With a touch of horror, they connect the destruction within the White House to deeper anti-democratic trends. Halloween may be over, but the conversation remains hauntingly relevant!
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Episode notes
Episode Recorded In Advance
- Lydia mentions recording ahead of time and missing patron shout‑outs because she'll be at a conference.
- The hosts use this to frame the episode's pre‑Halloween, prerecorded context.
Project 2025 Was Mischaracterized
- The Politico piece treated Project 2025 as a dead, mothballed operation based on a staged visit to Heritage Foundation offices.
- Hosts argue the portrayal ignored the project's real influence and ongoing implementation efforts across agencies.
Access Visits Can Be Misleading
- The reporters walked through empty cubicles and used that as proof Project 2025 had failed.
- Hosts note access journalism can be fooled by curated tours and miss the broader footprint of a movement.
